JOIN USAs a run up to the Board exams, students are asked to take the preparatories. Aakash Chaudhry explains how to utilise the purpose of this academic exercise and score well at the end.
With the dates for pre-Board examinations fast approaching, students across the country have been left wondering, “Am I prepared for this?” The pre-Boards, as they are commonly called, not only give students a taste of the Board-level examination setup, but also create an environment for them to test their preparation for individual subjects. The common thinking is that the marks scored at the pre-Board exams indicate a candidate’s performance in the Board exams; however, the scores obtained must not be measured as an indication of performance, but should be considered as a way to gauge one’s preparations ahead of the final exams.
The attitude towards pre-Boards varies from student to student. While some may take it very seriously and consider it to be just as significant as their Board examinations, others may prefer taking their time to prepare for the final exams. Regardless of the approach, here are a few simple tips that students can employ ahead of their penultimate exams to enhance their preparation and secure good marks:
Draw up a study timetable: Chalking out a well-laid timetable will help you organise your study schedule in a pattern that suits you. You know best what subjects and topics you need more practice in. Therefore, allocate time to each subject as per your level of preparation. Give more importance to subjects that you need more practice with and include your meal time, mid-breaks and other extracurricular activities into your timetable. Be realistic and plan your schedule judiciously.
Prioritise your schedule: As your pre-Board exams approach, it is time for you to dedicate more time and attention towards your studies. Learn to prioritise your schedule and divide your time between studying and other activities. If you’re lagging behind in your exam preparation, see to it that you give importance to your studies over other activities. If it is difficult for you to complete the entire syllabus from scratch, prioritise tasks in their order of importance and draft a timetable along with the chapters and portions which you believe you can complete ahead of the pre-Board exams. Do not, however, forget to cover the topics you left out after your pre-Boards.
Solve question papers: While you’re busy covering the coursework and revising it, pay equal importance to solving sample question papers. This exercise will help you understand the paper pattern and the kind of questions usually asked in the main examination. Solving previous years’ question papers before the pre-Boards will also boost your confidence and help you identify the best approach to manage your time during the exam.
Seek help from teachers & peers: You are bound to face some difficulty while solving a certain section or learning a certain concept. Rather than leaving out a particular section or not attempting the question, approach your teachers or peers to get your doubts clarified. There is no harm in asking your teachers for help as they will be able to offer you the guidance that you need.
Improve your speed: Students often complain that the question paper was too lengthy, or that a particular question was tricky and consumed a lot of their time. In order to tackle such a situation, it is essential to enhance your writing speed before your exams. This can be achieved by solving several question papers within a time-bound limit. Do not exceed the time limit that you set for yourself and try to solve papers of varying difficulty levels. Make use of a stopwatch or alarm clock when solving question papers to achieve a uniform speed of writing before your pre-Boards.
Manage your time well: If you have attempted mock papers as a part of your preparation, then you will have some idea of the sections that consume the most time. If it is not compulsory to solve the question paper in a particular order, first attempt questions that are easier for you, before moving on to more difficult sections. This can help you save a lot of time without worrying about leaving questions unanswered. However, you should ensure that the serial numbers of the questions are written down correctly and all parts of the same question are attempted together. Also try to allot at least five to 10 minutes to review your answer sheets before submitting it.
Jot down points in a separate book: Do you often skim through the pages quickly to check up on a formula or a theorem? It is not always easy to go through all of your notes just before the exam. Therefore, make a separate notebook to jot down important points, formulas, theorems, summary points etc. for future reference. This will help you revise faster, saving you a lot of time.
Relaxation is the key: Do not put unnecessary pressure on yourself while studying. Take enough sleep and eat properly. A relaxed mind allows you to stay focused and prepare better for your examination.
(The author is director, Aakash Educational Services, New Delhi)